Palmer Ridge is on a three-game streak of home losses, and Vista Ridge a four-game streak of away losses dating back to last season. However, someone's due for a change in luck on Friday. The Palmer Ridge Bears will look to defend their home field against the Vista Ridge Wolves at 4:00 p.m. The two teams are strolling into their games after big wins in their previous games.
Having struggled with seven defeats in a row, Palmer Ridge turned things around against Coronado on Wednesday. They blew past the Cougars 18-3. The Bears' offense finally found a way to get into gear: the high-octane performance was a 180-degree turn from their last four games.
Luke Weaver
| 04/02/25 @ Coronado | 8 |
| 03/22/25 vs Mead | 4 |
| 03/08/24 @ Grand Junction Central | 4 |
| 05/10/24 vs Discovery Canyon | 3 |
| 05/03/24 vs Pine Creek | 3 |
Luke Weaver was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over 5.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. Those eight strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also big at the plate, scoring four runs and stealing two bases while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances. He also hit a triple, marking his first of the season.
In other batting news, Palmer Ridge got a big performance out of Luke Vandenbussche, who got on base in four of his five plate appearances with one triple, one run, and one RBI. What's more, Vandenbussche posted two hits, the most he's had since back in April of 2024. Ian Slater was another key player, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Palmer Ridge always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .550. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Vista Ridge). They put the hurt on Crescent Valley with a sharp 10-4 victory on Thursday. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Wolves considering their one-run performance the matchup before.
Ricky Flugel tossed a big game, striking out six batters over 6.2 innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits.
On the hitting side, Edwin Gutierrez was a standout: he went 2-for-3 with three RBI and one triple. The team also got some help courtesy of Xy'Aire Borello, who scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Vista Ridge's win bumped their record up to 3-4. As for Palmer Ridge, their victory bumped their record up to 2-8.
Palmer Ridge came up short against Vista Ridge in their previous matchup back in April of 2024, falling 11-8. Can the Bears avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
